This Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti is made completely in the crockpot—even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same flavor! The recipe includes a step-by-step video.
Love your slow cooker as much as we do? Check out my 15 Best Crockpot Recipes, these Easy Crockpot Meals or these quick-to-prep Dump ‘n’ Go Slow Cooker Meals!
Table of Contents
- Why we love this Crock Pot Baked Ziti:
- Easy Baked Ziti Ingredients:
- How to make this easy Crock Pot Baked Ziti recipe:
- Tips for cooking Crock Pot Pasta:
- Reader Rating
- Variations on this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
- How to store this cheesy Baked Ziti:
- Can I freeze Crock Pot Baked Ziti?
- Serving suggestions:
- More Crock Pot Pasta recipes:
- Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is the perfect comforting dinner, made with hearty pasta smothered in rich sauce, combined with tender ground beef and gooey cheese. It’s a comforting dish that practically cooks itself!
Once you sauté the beef with onion, garlic, and seasonings, you throw everything into the crockpot (minus the cheese) and let it cook! The best part is that the pasta cooks right into the sauce, so there’s no need to whip out an extra pot.
If you’re looking for a delicious meal to make on busy weeknights, this delicious slow cooker recipe is for you!
Why we love this Crock Pot Baked Ziti:
- Family Favorite: Once you try this dish, it’ll quickly become a regular in your rotation! It’s hearty, satisfying, and something everyone at the table will love.
- Best Comfort Food: With layers of pasta, savory ground beef, and melted cheese, every bite feels like a warm hug after a long day.
- Low-Fuss: If you’re looking for an easy dinner, this recipe has you covered. Just throw everything into the slow cooker, and you can go about your day without any hassle.
Easy Baked Ziti Ingredients:
- Ground beef turkey or Italian sausage: use any fat-content ground beef you like! You can also keep things lean by using ground turkey or more decadent with Italian sausage.
- Aromatics: onion and minced garlic are sautéed with the meat and seasonings for flavor. You could swap them with onion powder and garlic powder if you don’t feel like chopping!
- Spices: I use a combination of salt, dried basil, and dried parsley, but you could also use Italian seasoning and salt instead!
- Diced tomatoes: these add a little texture.
- Pasta sauce: use your favorite type of marinara sauce.
- Chicken broth or beef or vegetable broth: this is used to cook pasta and add flavor. Use low-sodium broth to reduce the sodium content if you like.
- Short pasta (like Penne or Ziti): any type of short pasta shapes will work! For a heartier version, you could use whole wheat ziti or penne.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: You could also use parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, or any other type of Italian cheese you like!
How to make this easy Crock Pot Baked Ziti recipe:
Once you cook the beef, this meal practically cooks itself! Scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of instructions.
- Cook the ground beef and onion until browned.
- Stir in garlic and spices, then cook briefly.
- Add meat mixture, tomatoes, pasta sauce, and broth to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Stir in the uncooked ziti. Top with cheese, cover, and cook until melted.
Tips for cooking Crock Pot Pasta:
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that figuring out how to cook pasta in the slow cooker was pretty life-changing for me.
Take this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Mac for instance, or this Slow Cooker Healthier Hamburger Helper. We can’t get enough!
But there are a few tricks to getting it just right!
- Small pasta is best, but long pasta is doable. Short pasta like macaroni, penne, rotini, and others work best in this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti because they’re less likely to clump and stick together. Long pasta cuts like spaghetti and fettucini are doable, but you may have to stir a couple more times in between.
- Turn your slow cooker to high when you add your pasta. It’s going to take longer to cook than if you were boiling it, but we don’t want it to take forever, so crank it up and let it go for 15 minutes or so until it reaches your desired tenderness.
- Push your pasta down into the sauce — try to make sure you don’t have too many sticking out, or they may be dry.
- Don’t overcook — cooking pasta in the slow cooker takes longer than in boiling water, but it’s not going to take more than 20-25 minutes, so check at the 15-minute mark and then try to gauge how much longer it needs at that point.
Reader Rating
“Phenomenal recipe! My whole family really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing 🙂” Cassidy
Variations on this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
I have one other confession: my Ziti is not Ziti. It’s Penne.
But you know what?
Ziti is not that easy to find around here, and since my “Baked” Ziti isn’t all that traditional in the first place, why cause a big fuss about it? (If you’re looking for another untraditional “Baked Ziti” recipe that doesn’t cook all day, try this One Pot Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage!)
If you insist, you can easily swap the penne for ziti noodles, and nothing will change.
Here are a few more ways to mix things up if you want:
- Try swapping ground beef for loose Italian sausage for a slightly spicy, extra flavorful kick.
- Try swapping ½ cup of the broth for ½ cup of cream for a creamy, tomato-based pasta.
- You can easily swap the penne or ziti noodles for spaghetti and end up with spaghetti and meat sauce — just cut down the cooking time on the noodles and stir every 5 minutes until cooked.
- You can easily bump up the veggie content by adding shredded carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, finely chopped kale, or spinach — and no one will know!
How to store this cheesy Baked Ziti:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To reheat, add a splash of water or broth and microwave until heated through.
Can I freeze Crock Pot Baked Ziti?
Yes! Keep in mind that after thawing the pasta will have a softer texture.
Just pop individual servings into airtight containers and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave.
Serving suggestions:
I love serving this hearty meal with some garlic bread to scoop up that cheesy marinara sauce! If you want to keep things light, serve with a green salad or some roasted vegetables.
More Crock Pot Pasta recipes:
- Cheesy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe — creamy with a bit of kick!
- Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe — perfect comfort food.
- Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe — complements so many different meals!
- Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper Recipe — this one is always a hit with the kids!
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey or Italian sausage)
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 650 ml jar pasta sauce (about 2 ½ cups)
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth (or beef or vegetable)
- 375 gram box Penne or Ziti or other short pasta (about 4 cups)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Stir in garlic, salt, basil and parsley and cook 1 minute. (OPTIONAL: you can also add the raw onion and spices right into the slow cooker to save on time)
- Add beef mixture, tomatoes, pasta sauce and broth to a 4qt (or larger) slow cooker. Stir.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Turn slow cooker to high. Add pasta and stir until combined. Cover and continue cooking for 15-30 minutes (depending on how hot your slow cooker is) — check and stir at the 15 minute mark.
- Sprinkle with cheese and cover for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Information
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Lori says
Here’s what I did differently:added minced red pepper and used 1/2 lb Italian hot sausage and 1 lb ground beef 80/20
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing!
Lori says
Love this! My go to monthly ! Super easy and delicious! I recommend
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lori! I’m glad you liked it!
Cassidy says
Phenomenal recipe! My whole family really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you for your review Cassidy!
Laura says
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a huge hit. I used sweet Italian sausage links (casings removed), instead of ground beef and ziti for the pasta. I will definitely make this recipe again. I cooked on low for 6 hours and followed the directions exactly. Came out perfect!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Yay! Thanks for sharing Laura!
Kubeshni Eve Lach says
Recipe states to add water, but no measurement is given. Did you add water? If so, how much? Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
You’re right! I have changed the recipe to broth but forgot to change it in the instructions.
Jennie Saldivar says
It looks amazing and I’m definitely trying this! Any problems with doubling the recipe for a large family? Would I double up on all ingredients??
Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Jennie! Thank you! If you double it, I would use a much larger crockpot so that it cooks evenly without overcooking the pasta, or use two crockpots. And yes, just double all of the ingredients 🙂
Laura says
This recipe was delicious and so perfect for a busy week with two kiddos under 5 ! It was a lifesaver today and it tasted amazing. Actually my husband asked why we waited 53$ at Boston pizza two weeks ago. He said to just make this dish again next time 😁 I followed the exact recipe except I didn’t add any spices since I used a can of Chilli diced tomatoes! Just salt and pepper added. Thank you for this recipe and I’ll be looking at more !
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear, thank you Laura!
Jade says
Hi can you add vegetables such as carrot? If so would you recommend shredded or chopped
The Recipe Rebel says
I’d probably add chopped!
Claire says
I accidentally added the pasta before cooking on low for 6 hours or on hight for 3 hours. Will it be okay? 😬
The Recipe Rebel says
I’m thinking it might turn out mushy.
Sj says
lol did the same thing! How did it turn out?
Rebecca says
AMAZING! I’m making this dish again, for a meal train. How should I tell the couple to reheat the dish? I’ve got it in a metal pan.
The Recipe Rebel says
Thank you Rebecca!
Jess says
What pasta sauce am I to buy? It doesn’t specify sorry
Ashley Fehr says
Your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce will do
Dee says
Can I add fresh or frozen spinach? And when during the cooking process should I add it
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Dee! I know other readers have with great success. Add it with the pasta. You can use either but if it id frozen, I’d let it thaw first. Enjoy!
Robin says
Unfortunately, mine turned out more like soup than the picture above. Next time I might try leaving out the chicken broth and adding extra pasta and hope it thickens more like a baked pasta casserole. As it stands, dinner tonight is kind of a disaster and no amount of mozzarella on top is going to help, unfortunately.
Diane Delia says
Question? Did you cook the pasta first? If you did, I think that could be the problem. Uncooked pasta will absorb a tremendous amount of liquid.
The Recipe Rebel says
I’m sorry to hear that Robin, was the pasta uncooked?
Austen says
Hello everyone, dinners have always been especially hard for me. So im getting into the world of slow cooking on a crock pot and this will be my first recipe that I will be attempting. I have followed the instructions to the T. One question tho, should I let my crock pot heat up before adding the ingredients? If so for how long? I hope it turns out good, but also its a very cheap ingredient list I believe for everything it was around 35 dollars for all of the ingredients. If youre more thrift could get probably get everything for about 25$
The Recipe Rebel says
You should not have to preheat the slow cooker unless a recipe calls for it. Enjoy!
catie says
hi! This turned out delicious; but I don’t think the advertising “cooks in one pot!” is correct since you have to brown on the oven before putting it in. I look for one pot meals that I don’t have to do any prior prepping (besides cutting and chopping) for. Willl make again. Thank you.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Catie! Glad it turned out for you! You don’t have to brown the meat before adding it but there are advantages to doing it. While it is an extra step, I see it being beneficial.
leigh pariseau says
100 degrees in Massachusetts today and I’m craving pasta. Just put this all in the slow cooker but am wondering if it should be covered prior to adding the pasta? Thank you.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Leigh! I always keep my slow cooker covered while cooking in it. Enjoy!
Venda says
I will dig out my crock pot to try this, but I’m a pressure cooker girl and make this with chicken. Straight from frozen meat. Always delicious.
The Recipe Rebel says
Enjoy Venda!
Connie says
Should the pasta be added raw?
The Recipe Rebel says
Yes
Trey says
This is monthly go-to. It’s so easy and delicious! I usually double the meat using 1 lb of ground sirloin and 1 lb of ground Italian sausage. I also use a bit more broth and noodles to account for it. Can’t miss with this recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Trey! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Kent A. Jenewein says
Wonderful and easy!!!!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kent! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Angela says
We love this recipe! It is now a weekly dinner must have. I made it for the church youth group and the kids all came back for 2nds and some 3rds! I season the meat with Italian seasonings and use rigatoni but other than that I follow the recipe.
Mary says
I haven’t tried this yet, but I have loved every recipe of yours that I’ve tried. I’m trying to cut back on carbs and wondered if you thought veggie based pasta would work? I can’t wait to try it out!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Mary, I can’t say for sure since I haven’t tested it out, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!